Cirencester Town have signed former Cheltenham Town captain Michael Pook ahead of their Division One West of the Southern League clash with Swindon Supermarine on Monday afternoon, writes Johnny Morton.

The midfielder was released by Cheltenham in 2011, and went on to have spells at clubs including Forest Green Rovers, Hungerford Town and Chippenham Town, where he won the Southern Premier League title last season.

Pook had signed for North Leigh for the current campaign, but has now joined The Centurions.

Cirencester are coming off a 2-1 defeat to Didcot Town at the weekend, with the visitors scoring the winning goal in the last moments of the game.

Manager Charlie Griffin said his side have to start turning chances into goals to finish games.

"We started well and then let Didcot come back into it," said Griffin.

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"We had plenty of chances, and I thought we had the four best chances of the game, and if we put those away at 1-0 to make it 2-0, or when it's 1-1 and we scored the second for 2-1, we would have gone on to win the game.

"As I said to the lads, chances and goals win matches, and if you don't put them away, teams still believe they can get something from the game.

"They got the winner right at the end which was frustrating and disappointing."

Will Christopher made his first appearance for the club in defence, and Griffin says the youngster will be a 'big asset' this season.

"Will done really well," he added.

"He slotted in very well and you can see what he is all about. He gets forward and is very good on the ball, very controlled and very patient. He will be a big asset to us."

Griffin is expecting a big response from his squad against a Supermarine side coming off a 1-0 win away at Bideford.

"It's another local derby and they had a good win on Saturday at Bideford," he said.

"We've been to watch them a couple of times and it'll be a typical local derby. A few of their players used to play for Cirencester so they will be up for it, and I don't expect anything else from our lads.

"I expect a response from Saturday and hopefully we can get the points."

Felipe Barcelos returns to the squad for the trip to Webb's Wood Stadium.